USA's presidential search committee meets Wednesday

MOBILE, Alabama -- The University of South Alabama's presidential search committee will meet Wednesday.

In an effort to get a clear focus of the university and its history, the committee members heard presentations from several USA vice presidents during its meeting last month.

Also at the Dec. 6 meeting, the panel discussed the results of a new faculty and staff survey from Doug Marshall, president of the faculty senate.

According to the survey results, he said, key qualifications in the next president include leadership management; financial oversight; and the ability to have a vision. The president should know how to delegate and get the right people in place to make the best decisions, Marshall said.

The presidential search committee, working with the R. William Funk & Associates search firm, is seeking the third president in the 50-year-old university’s history. The late Gordon Moulton, who was president for nearly 15 years, announced his retirement on March 8 and formally stepped down on July 1. Moulton died on Sept. 28 after a long battle with brain cancer.

John Smith has been the university’s acting president since Feb. 1, but has informed the trustees that he will not apply for the position.

Wednesday's meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the Whiddon Administration Building and is open to the public.